Text: Psalms 103:1-7
Memory verse:
“He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.”
Psalms 103:7 NKJV
You may be able to know a person and make conclusions about him or her by observing his or her works and exploits. However, to know how the person conducts the other part of his or her life, which is not opened to the public scene, you need to walk more closely. No one can deeply know a person only from his acts or his deeds. This is what our memory text describes as the distinguishing mark between Moses and the people of Israel.
Moses actually longed and prayed for such a deeper walk with God. In Exodus 33:13, Moses prayed thus, “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight…”” (Exo 33:13). “Show me” means, “reveal to me, teach or inform me.” Moses wanted to know more of God’s dealings with people, especially after the Mount Sinai experience (Exo 32).
Ways speak of deep intimacy while acts speak of superficial knowledge of God. It’s said that Moses spoke with God face to face (Exo 33:11). Paul also desired such intimate knowledge of God (Phil 3:10-11).
There are two levels of God’s knowledge, either knowing His ways or knowing His acts, that is, His works. Knowing His acts or His works is to know what God does, but knowing His ways is to know God Himself. To know God’s works is to know God by observation, as opposed to knowing God personally, or intimately and knowing His character. It’s like Moses said, “Lord, I don’t want you to just show me what you do, for that won’t satisfy me. I really want to understand what makes You do what You do and why You act the way You act. If You really want to use me to lead Your people to the Promised land, as You said, please, show me Your ways and cause me to understand Your ways”.
Today and just like Moses’ time, while many of God’s children know the works of God, only few know His ways. Knowing God transforms from babyhood into maturity. Immature believers don’t bother about knowing God by revelation or intimately but are content with knowing the works of God. They cannot wait on the word for revelation, for it doesn’t excite them, yet they can go any distance or stay for so long just for a miracle! They miss the truth that miracles happen in His presence.
Friends, are you revelation driven or miracle driven? Do you know God’s ways or His works?
Prayer points
1. Father, I earnestly desire to know You, please, show me Your ways, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, give me a revelation of Your person and Your character, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. Matured believers seek to know God personally and intimately, but babies seek to know His works.
2. The more I know Him, the more He transforms me into His image.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng